About
Director of Operations
Sophie Smith
Sophie loves helping small-town economies reach their fullest potential. As the Director of Operations at Platinum PR, she leads projects, multitasks like a champ, and nurtures client needs with style and grace.
Previously the Main Street Manager in Brunswick, Maryland, Sophie is familiar with the challenges that face growing communities. In this role Sophie served in multiple capacities, but primarily worked with small businesses, property owners, government officials, and other local entities to achieve their economic development objectives. She additionally led the organization’s re-branding effort and ran their marketing and outreach initiatives. Sophie has previously worked as the Volunteer Coordinator at United Way of Frederick County and as the Global Project Manager for UNESCO Center for Peace.
Sophie is a legacy graduate of Hood College, boasting a bachelor’s degree in global studies. Originally from Freeport, Maine, she has lived in four different countries and speaks intermediate French. Connect with Sophie via email, 240-608-4443, or on LinkedIn.
Favorite part of her job: Asking questions. Listening to others and their stories. Constantly learning new things. Helping make dreams into reality.
Professional superpowers: The art of the juggle.
Personal superpowers: Sophie is a Frederick County kickball champ and recently won the office chili cook-off of 2022!
Her favorite things: Driftwood and seaglass; spicy chai lattes; hosting family and friends for a shared meal, drinks, or movie night; volunteering; reading books – especially historical fiction; encouraging others to achieve their goals; candlelight; fog; the smell of woodsmoke; chocolate chip cookies; her family, her friends, and her kitten; the sound of a tennis ball can being opened; birch trees.
Meet the Team Behind Platinum PR

Sandy Dubay
CEO and Founder
Sandy Dubay, CEcD (formerly Sandy Sponaugle) is the CEO and Founder of Platinum PR. As Platinum PR’s fearless leader, she brings over 20 years of marketing savvy …

Hanna Turner
Director of Client Relations
Hanna enjoys tapping into the uniqueness of our clients, helping them to expand and thrive. She has worked in municipal government communications, economic development, …

Sophie Smith
Director of Operations
Sophie loves helping small-town economies reach their fullest potential. As the Director of Operations at Platinum PR, she leads projects, multitasks like a champ …

Mia Vaccaro
Public Relations Specialist

Caleigh Bernota
Communications Specialist
Caleigh is a senior at Stevenson University working towards a degree in Business Communications with Graphic Design and Fashion Merchandising minors.

Kayla Sherry
Social Media Coordinator
Kayla, as the Gen Z stereotypes claim, is obsessed with all things social media. Growing up during the early stages of today’s most-used digital platforms has allowed her to become immersed…

Khoury Johnson
Communications Specialist - Writer
With a focus on translating complex topics into accessible copy, Khoury is a versatile communicator with diverse interests, including economic development.